Congrats on your little bundle of joy! While you’re preparing to welcome them into the world, it is also an excellent time to think of names for your child. If you have a Korean spouse or just want a unique name for your little one, why not look at some Korean names? Korean TV shows and media are top-rated in the Philippines right now, so you don’t really have to worry about the name being too hard for people to pronounce. Moreover, you do not have to select a Korean name as your child’s first name. It can be a second or third name or even their nickname if it’s somewhat related to their actual name.
Aside from the names of your favorite Korean artists or actors, there are a plethora of popular names that are worth considering as well. Here are some well-known baby names from the land of the morning calm and what they mean:
- Bora (보라) – Pronounced “Po-ra,” it is one of the more popular Korean girl names. The name’s meaning is “purple,” which is seen as the color of royalty in Korean culture. Unsurprisingly, many famous musicians and actors also have this as their first names, such as Bora Yoon (American-Korean experimental musician and TED2014 fellow), Bora of Sistar fame, and Jin Bora, aka Sunday. This is a name with some serious star power behind it, making it perfect for parents who are artistic and are looking for a cute but ethereal name for their daughter.
- Seulgi (슬기) – This is a gender-neutral Korean name pronounced “Sul-gee” It means wisdom or intelligence when written in Hangul. However, when written with Hanja, the name can have different meanings as well. But fret not. All of them are positive and have no inappropriate undertones. This is a good option for parents looking for a Korean name appropriate for either a boy and a girl.
- Hana (하나) – For parents looking for a Korean name that isn’t too hard to pronounce, Hana is a great choice. It sounds a lot like the more common name “Hannah” and sounds somewhat ethereal and dainty. This is a more feminine name that means “one” and is excellent as a first name or a nickname. Moreover, the name Hana has some nice symbolism as it is commonly chosen by many Korean parents who have one daughter, making it a great choice for your unica hija.
- Mi-rae (미래) – Many not-so-traditional words get chosen as baby names but still have a nice meaning. This is the case for the feminine Korean name Mi-rae. Aside from being relatively easy to pronounce (Mee-ray), it also means “future,” which gives it a spunky vibe. This is a feminine name, so parents searching for an interesting Korean name for their future daughter may like the name Mi-rae.
- Seungri (승리) – This is another Korean name that is gender-neutral but more popularly given to boys. It is pronounced “Suwng-ree” and can work as a nickname or a second name. The word itself means “victory,” making it perfect for a little boy whose parents want him to grow up into a brave, ambitious, and determined individual.
- Daesung (대성) – If you are a massive fan of the band Big Bang, you can always name your little boy after one of the members. There is nothing weird or creepy about it, and many parents often name their children after members of their favorite music groups. There’s a reason why many Filipino boys are named Paul and John (The Beatles), Kurt (Nirvana), and Harry (One Direction). If Daesung (Teh-sung or Deh-sung) is your favorite member of BIG BANG, you’ll be pleased to know that his name means “a great sage.”
- Narae (나래) – This is another cool gender-neutral name that is pretty easy to say. It is pronounced “Na-reh” and means “wing” when written in traditional Korean Hangul. However, it becomes “beauty” or “coming” when written with the Hanja. It works well as a given name or as a nickname for your child.
Choosing a baby name can feel like a massive challenge because you may very well be calling your child this for the rest of their life. If you’re looking for something different but still has deep significance, consider choosing a Korean name for your child. Whether you want it as a part of your child’s birth name or nickname, it will undoubtedly make your child stand out and give them a sense of individuality.
